Why do Nikon image filenames switch between DSC_ and RSC_, and can I stop it?
Asked 1/30/2014
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On my Nikon D80 and D700, image filenames sometimes change prefix from DSC_ to RSC_ without the file number resetting. I always shoot RAW, rarely change cards, and usually import directly from the camera into Lightroom. This breaks simple filename-based sorting.
What causes Nikon to change the filename prefix like this, and is there a camera setting to keep it consistent?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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It's a widely established convention to use the DSC prefix, indicating "digital still camera". I'd suppose RSC would indicate "reflex still camera"; or, in case it only gets used for retouched files (such as when using lens correction profiles) "retouched still camera" (D90 uses "CSC" prefix in such cases). Some Nikons are also known to alternate file name based on color space used by relocating underscore in the name (_DSC for AdobeRGB and DSC_ for sRGB).
On higher end Nikons, there's an option in Shooting Menu to define your own preferred 3-character file name prefix, I'd expect that to resolve the issue on D700 (but not D80, which doesn't have the setting). Note that if you use custom settings banks, the setting must be specified individually for each bank.
Originally by user4390. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4390
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Nikon normally uses DSC_ as the standard filename prefix. If the prefix changes, it’s usually because a camera setting or profile/bank is changing how files are named rather than the counter resetting.
From the community answers, likely causes are:
- different shooting profiles/custom settings banks using different filename prefixes
- a color-space-related naming change on some Nikons
- in-camera edited files using a different prefix (for example CSC on some models)
On cameras that support it, you can set a custom 3-letter filename prefix in the camera menu to keep naming consistent. On the D700, check the Shooting Menu for the file naming option, and make sure it’s set the same for every custom settings/shooting bank you use. The D80 may not offer this option.
If you can’t fully control it in-camera, renaming on import in Lightroom is the practical workaround.
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